Receptacle for bottles



m 9 1955 H. J. ULLMER REGEPTACLE' FDR BOTTLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1962 INVENTOR. HAROLD J. ULLM ER ATTORNEY y 25, 1955 H. J. ULLMER 3,185,319

I RECEPTACLE FOR BOTTLES Filed Aug. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HAROLD J. ULLMER BY aldu/j. 9444M) ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,185,319 RECEPTACLE FUR BGTTLES Harold J. Ullmer, 4265 S. Pine Ave, Milwaukee, Wis. Fiied Aug. 15, 1962, Ser. No. 216,935 Claims. (Cl. 214-6) This invention relates to bottle stacking receptacles, and more particularly, to a receptacle adapted for automatically distributing and stacking empty bottles in a storage bin.

It is manifest to anyone familiar with serving liquid refreshments from bottles that it is a constant source of eflort to dispose of the empty bottles. The bottles must be placed in cases or empty boxes, and the filled containers must be removed from time to time. This is time-consuming and adds to the labor requirements and expense. It is inconvenient, inasmuch as special help is required, or the counter must be left unattended while the filled containers are removed. Also, the containers take up valuable space in the place of business.

Various devices have been proposed for reducing these problems. However, they suffer from certain disadvantages, such as irregularity in stacking the empty bottles. Excessive breakage of the glass bottles is frequently encountered. The devices are at times inconvenient and require excessive labor.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a receptacle for bottles which overcomes the prior problems and furnishes significant advantages.

An important object is to provide a receptacle which accommodates bottles of various shapes and sizes, and which stacks them in proper relation to one another without breakage.

Another object is to provide a receptacle that will automatically distribute the bottles over the surface of a storage bin therein.

An additional object is to provide an automatically adjustable receptacle, which accommodates a succession of bottles deposited therein over a period of time.

A particular object is to provide a receptacle which includes a resiliently supported bottle rack, the rack being adapted for descending due to the Weight of the bottles deposited thereon, for depositing successive layers of bottles in proper relation in the receptacle.

A more particular object is to provide a receptacle including a combination of a storage bin, a bottle rack vertically movable and resiliently supported in the bin, a chute for delivering bottles to the bin, a bottle receiver interposed between the chute and the bottle rack and mounted adjacent the bin above the rack, a shock absorber on the receiver for stopping forward movement of the bottles from the chute, and means causing the bottles to be delivered by gravity movement from the receiver to the rack after stopping their forward movement, whereby the energy of the bottles delivered to the bin is substantially dissipated to minimize breakage while the rack descends under the weight of the bottles for stacking a number of layers of bottles thereon.

A further object is to provide a receptacle which is readily accessible for removing the bottles when the receptacle is full, and which enables the bottles to be sorted conveniently when removed.

Another object is to provide a simple and convenient receptacle which is economical to manufacture and which reduces the labor requirements.

These and other objects, advantages and functions of the invention will be apparent on reference to the specification and to the attached drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which like parts are identified by like reference symbols in each of the views, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the receptacle, with 3,185,319 Patented May 25, 1965 but a part of the delivery chute thereof being illustrated;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view of the receptacle taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1, with a part of the delivery chute being broken away and shown in cross-section at the receiving end thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged horizontal longitudinal crosssectional view of a receiver mounting sleeve and a shock absorber for the bottles, taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged composite fragmentary perspective view of the dispensing and distributing uni-t, illustrating the relationship of the parts;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational and cross-sectional view of a portion of the dispensing and distributing unit, illustrating the actuation of the tiltable distributing platform thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view like FIGURE 5 illustrating a different or reverse position of the tiltable platform; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged vertical transverse cross-sectional view of a portion of the dispensing and distributing unit.

The invention provides a receptacle for bottles which eliminates the work and inconvenience of removing and storing empty bottles. A readily accessible disposing unit is provided, into which empty bottles are placed and are conveyed to a dispensing and distributing unit adjacent to a storage bin. The bottles are automatically distributed over the surface of the bin and stacked in successive layers therein. The bottles may be removed from the top of the bin when full and sorted conveniently, without need for stooping or lifting. The receptacle has proven to be highly efficient for the intended purpose.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the new receptacle includes a storage bin which is generally indicated by the number 10. A dispensing and distributing unit indicated by the number 11 is mounted adjacent thereto. A bottle delivery unit is indicated by the number 12. The major part of the receptacle is preferably located in a suitable storage area, such as a basement, with only a part of the delivery unit located conveniently in the vicinity of the counter area of an establishment.

The delivery unit .12 includes a flexible delivery chute or conveyor tube 15 having an open end 14 for the reception of bottles 13. The chute constrains the bottles to lengthwise successive movement therein for delivering the bottles end first. The receiving end 14 of the chute extends throngh and upwardly from a floor 16, and the chute is secured thereto by suitable means such as a flanged sleeve 15a. The persons serving beverages need only drop the bottles 13 into the chute, from whence they are conveyed by gravity to the dispensing unit 11 and then to the storage bin 10. The delivery unit 12 which is illustrated is preferred for convenience and economy, but it will be apparent that other suitable conveyor means may be employed if desired.

The storage bin 19 includes four angle bar standards 17 which support the rectangular bin at the four corners thereof. Opposed back and front walls 10a and 10b, respectively, and opposed side walls and 10d are joined to the standards 17 and provide an enclosure for the bottles :13 stored in the bin. Each standard 1-7 is provided at its end with a supporting flange 18, and two expansion springs 19 are connected to each flange. The springs resiliently support a vertically movable perforate rack 25, which includes an angle bar frame 20a and a wire mesh base 20b connected thereto. The resiliently supported rack yields to the weight of the bottles 13 deposited thereon, so that a succession of layers is formed on the track. Liquids which escape from the bottles drain through the rack base 20b and are collected or removed from beneath the bin by suitable means, not shown.

Referring to FIGURES 1-3, the dispensing and distributing unit 11 includes a horizontally mounted cylindrically shaped tubular receiver body 21 having an elongated side opening 21b and a downwardly inclined bottom surface 210 (see FIG. 7) thcrealong. The receiver body is encompassed at its ends and supported by respective tubular mounting sleeves 22 and 23. As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 7, the mounting sleeves are connected by rigid strip supports 24 to a supporting panel c separately mounted on a support 16], rearwardly of the bin back wall 10a. The receiver body is mounted adjacent the bin '10 above the rack 2G in this manner. Alternatively, the panel 10a may be mounted on the back wall if desired.

As shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, the delivery chute is received within an open delivery end of the receiver body 21, and the parts are secured together by the mounting sleeve 23 at that end. The mounting sleeve 22 (FIGURES 1-3) at the'opposite end of the body'is closed and provided with a tubular cylinder 25 having a closed end 26. A compression spring 27 is mounted in the cylinder and bears on the end wall 26. A cylindrical stem 28 is reciprocably movable in the cylinder 25, and it is connected to an abutment plate 29 axially movable in the receiver body 21 and facing in the direction of the open end of the body. The compression spring bears on the adjacent end of the stern for resiliently biasing the abutment plate in the said direction. This construction provides a shock absorber for the bottles 13 delivered to the receiver. The abutment plate receives the impact of successive bottle ends to stop forward movement of the bottles from the chute. It will be apparent that other shock absorbing means may be employed if desired, such, for example, as pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder means or other resiliently acting construction.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 4-5, an actuating or indexing lever 30 is vertically mounted for reciprocal movement in a longitudinal elongated slot 32 in the. bottom of the receiver body 21. The lever is disposed in the path of a bottle delivered to the receiver. The bottle moves the lever in the direction of the shock absorber abutment 29, and the bottle moves over and beyond the lever to permit its return to the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. The bottle is next dispensed from the receiver through its side opening 2112 by gravity, rolling from the receiver body 21 on its inclined bottom surface 21c and then on a downwardly inclined curved dispensing apron 21a integral with the bottom of the body.

The actuating lever 30 is mounted on the supporting panel 10s by means of a pin 31, forpivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The actuating lever is coupled with a ratchet, which includes a pawl or push lever 33 and a ratchet wheel or gear 37. The pawl -33 is pivotally mounted at 34 on the actuating lever 30, and the pawl is urged downwardly by a coiled spring 35 having its ends respectively connected to the pawl and to the actuating lever. The pawl includes an outer beveled end 36 which engages one of the teeth on the periphery of the ratchet wheel 37 at the adjacent upper quadrant thereof. The ratchet wheel is rotatably mounted on the supporting panel 102 by means of a horizontal shaft 38.

In operation, the actuating lever 30 is moved by the movement of a bottle 13 thereagainst as illustrated by the phantom position 39 in FIGURE 5. The lever moves the pawl 33 is the same direction, to cause the ratchet wheel 37 to move incrementally in the counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow. At the same time, the pawl 33 moves angularly closer to the actuating lever 30 against the tension of the spring 35. When the bottle has passed beyond the actuating lever 30, it returns to the full line position of FIGURE 5, withdrawing the pawl 33 therewith. The tension of the spring 35 causes the pawl to engage another tooth on the ratchet wheel 37, below the tooth previously engaged in the upper quadrant of the .ueel. As the actuating lever 30 is contacted by each successive bottle delivered thereto by the chute 15, the ratchet wheel 37 is rotated an additional distance in the direction of the arrow.

A crank pin 48 is mounted on the face of the ratchet wheel 37, radially outwardly of the mounting shaft 38. The crank pin is received within an elongated slot 41 in a rocker arm or lever 42. The lever is rigidly attached or keyed to a rockshaft 44 by means of a connecting pin 43. The rockshaft is journalled in a bearing 45 mounted on the support panel 106, with its axis in a horizontal plane with the axis of the ratchet wheel shaft 38.

A tiltable distributing platform 46 is rigidly connected to the rockshaft 44 by suitable means, such as welding. The platform is centrally mounted over the bin 10 at the back of the bin. The platform has a trapezoidal configuration, with its sides converging from the back of the bin. A backstop member 46a is secured to the platform at the rear edge thereof and extends upwardly from the upper surface thereof. The construction provides rocker means actuated by bottles being delivered, incrementally tilting the platform 46 progressively in one direction and then in the opposite direction as bottles are delivered thereto, in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6.

Each time a bottle 13 is delivered by the chute 15 to the receiver body 21, the actuating lever 30 is moved to impart an increment of rotation to the ratchet wheel 37 and tilt or angularly move the platform 46 a predetermined distance. Each bottle strikes'the shock absorber abutment 29 and then rolls about its axis on the receiver dispensing apron 21a, with the bottle extending transversely of the rock shaft 44. The bottle drops onto the upper surface of the platform 46, and, depending upon the inclination'of the platform, rolls off of the platform onto the rack 20 or onto a layer of bottles 13 previously deposited thereon.

Commencing with the platform 46 level or horizontal, the bottles are successively distributed by the centrally mounted platform, from the center of the bin 10 and the rack 20 progressively around one-half of the upper bin surface, either the left or right half as'oriented in FIG- URE 1. Upon reaching the angle of greatest inclination of the platform 46 in one direction, the direction of angular movement of the rocket arm 42 is reversed. Thereafter, the platform 46 is tilted incrementally in the opposite direction, so that the bottles are dispensed progressively back over the initial one-half of the bin surface and then over the remaining one-half. The direction of turning of the platform is again reversed when it reaches its greatest inclination in the opposite direction, and the bottles are distributed back over the entire surface of the bin. The arrangement of the, axes of the shafts 38 and 44 in the same horizontal plane produces equal distribution of the bottles over. the right and left halves of the bin.

The dispensing and distributing construction, and the operation thereof result is a very orderly arrangement of the bottles on the rack 20. As successive layers of botties are formed on the rack, the suspending springs 19 yield to the weight of the loaded rack, and the rack descends sufficiently to permit distribution of successive layers thereon. The spring tension is predetermined to cause the rack to descend in this manner. Other resiliently acting support means may be employed in place of the springs 19 to furnish the desired results.

When the storage bin 10 is full, the bottles are conveniently accessible from above. The bottles may be removed from successive layers and sorted as they are removed. As each layer is taken from the bin, the tension of the support. springs. 19 elevates the rack 20 a corresponding amount, so that the next layer is accessible at the top of the bin, with no necessity for stooping or lifting. The complete contents of the bin may be removed in this manner, and the bin then may be filled again with empty bottles.

The invention is adaptable to mounting the delivery unit 12 in various convenient locations. For example, if it be desirable to locate the unit on the left side as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 2, it is merely necessary to transpose the sleeves 22 and 23, and the abutment 29 and the indexing lever 39 and pawl 33 thereon. The pawl then engages the ratchet wheel 37 in the opposite upper quadrant. The wheel turns in the opposite direction but with the same results in distributing the bottles.

The invention thus provides a simple, convenient, and economical receptacle for bottles. The receptacle affords substantial savings in time and labor, and the counter attendant may perform his duties uninterruptedly. The bottles are delivered to storage without breakage, they are stored compactly, and they are readily accessible for removal.

It will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A receptacle for bottles which comprises, in combination, a storage bin, a bottle rack vertically movable in said bin, resilient means supporting said rack in said bin, a tiltable distributing platform mounted above said rack, rocker means including a ratchet for tilting said platform, means for delivering bottles to said platform, and reciprocating lever means associated with said delivery means and actuated by the bottles being delivered to said platform, said lever means being coupled with said ratchet for incrementally tilting said platform progressively in one direction and then in the opposite direction as bottles are delivered thereto, to distribute the bottles in said rack.

2. A receptacle for bottles which comprises, in combination, a storage bin, a bottle rack vertically movable in said bin, resilient means supporting said rack in said bin, a tiltable distributing platform centrally mounted over said rack, a rockshaft connected to said platform for tilting the platform about the axis of the rockshaft, a bottle delivery chute, a receiver for bottles delivered by said chute, means for dispensing bottles from said receiver onto said platform with the bottles extending transversely of said rockshaft axis, rocker means including a ratchet operatively coupled with said rockshaft, and reciprocating lever means mounted on said receiver and actuted by bottles being delivered to the receiver, said lever being coupled with said ratchet for incrementally tilting said platform progressively in one direction and then in the opposite direction as bottles are delivered thereto, to distribute the bottles in said rack.

3. A receptacle for bottles which comprises, in combination, a storage bin, a bottle rack vertically movable in said bin, resilient means supporting said rack from said bin, a tiltable distributing platform centrally mounted over said rack, a rockshaft connected to said platform for tilting the platform about the axis of the rockshaft, a rocker arm operatively connected to said rockshaft, a ratchet operatively coupled with said rocker arm, a bottle delivery chute, a receiver for bottles delivered by said chute, a shock absorber on said receiver for bottles delivered thereto, an inclined surface associated with said receiver for rolling bottles from said receiver onto said platform with the bottles extending transversely of said rockshaft axis, and a reciprocating lever mounted on said receiver in the path of bottles being delivered to the receiver and actuated by movement of the bottles thereagainst, said lever being coupled with said ratchet for incrementally tilting said platform progressively in one direction and then in the opposite direction as bottles are delivered thereto, to distribute the bottles in said rack.

4. In a receptacle for bottles including a storage bin, a dispensing and distributing unit which comprises a receiver for bottles, a shock absorber on said receiver for bottles received thereby, a tiltable distributing platform mounted above said bin, a rockshaft connected to said platform for tilting the platform about the axis of the rockshaft, an inclined surface associated with said receiver for rolling bottles from said receiver onto said platform with the bottles extending transversely of said rockshaft axis, a rocker arm operatively connected to said rockshaft, a ratchet operatively coupled with said rocker arm, and a reciprocating lever mounted on said receiver and actuated by bottles received thereby, said lever being coupled with said ratchet for incrementally tilting said platform progressively in one direction and then in the opposite direction as bottles are delivered thereto, to distribute the bottles in said bin.

5. A receptacle for bottles which comprises, in combination, a storage bin, a bottle rack vertically movable in said bin, resilient means supporting said rack in said bin, a chute for delivering bottles to said bin, said chute constraining bottles to lengthwise successive movement therein for delivering the bottles end first, a tubular bottle receiver horizontally mounted adjacent said bin above said rack at the delivery end of said chute, said receiver having an open end registering with said chute and a closed end, a shock absorber at said closed end including a reciprocally movable abutment member facing in the direction of said open end and means resiliently biasing said abutment member in said direction, said abutment member receiving the impact of successive bottle ends to stop forward movement of the bottles from said chute, said receiver having a side opening adjacent to said shock absorber through which successive bottles may be dispensed sideways, and means causing the bottles to be delivered by gravity movement from said receiver to said rack after stopping their forward movement including a downwardly inclined bottom surface on said receiver along said side opening causing the bottles to roll sideways thereon through the side opening to dispense the bottles from the receiver, whereby the energy of the bottles delivered to the bin is substantially dissipated to minimize breakage while the rack descends under the weight of the bottles for stacking a number of layers of bottles thereon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 402,872 5/89 Tryon l9331 X 433,422 7/90 Ross 193-31 X 2,816,808 12/57 Haines 21149 X HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

MORRIS TEMIN, Examiner. 

1. A RECEPTACLE FOR BOTTLES WHICH COMPRISES, IN COMBINATION, A STORAGE BIN, A BOTTLE RACK VERTICALLY MOVABLE IN SAID BIN, RESILIENT MEANS SUPPORTING SAID RACK IN SAID BIN, A TILTABLE DISTRIBUTING PLATFORM MOUNTED ABOVE SAID RACK, ROCKER MEANS INCLUDING A RATCHET FOR TILTING SAID PLATFORM, MEANS FOR DELIVERING BOTTLES TO SAID PLATFORM, AND RECIPROCATING LEVER MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DELIVERY MEANS AND ACTUATED BY THE BOTTLES BEING DELIVERED TO SAID PLATFORM, SAID LEVER MEANS BEING COUPLED WITH SAID RATCHET FOR INCREMENTALLY TILTING SAID PLATFORM PROGRESSIVELY IN ONE DIRECTION AND THEN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AS BOTTLES ARE DELIVERED THERETO, TO DISTRIBUTE THE BOTTLES IN SAID RACK. 